Night Raiders (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Night Raiders is a 2021 action thriller directed by Danis Goulet, starring Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Niska, Violet Nelson and Brooklyn Letexier-Hart. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $16,246 worldwide. Critics gave it 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Danis Goulet
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Night Raiders About?
The premise of Night Raiders without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In a post-war North America controlled by a military regime in 2043, children are considered state property and exploited for their potential. A courageous Cree mother fights desperately to rescue her daughter from this oppressive system. She joins an underground resistance movement, infiltrating a brutal government academy to challenge the regime. This female-led dystopian thriller explores themes of freedom, family, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Night Raiders Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- rescue
- female director
- dystopia
- mother daughter relationship
- two word title
- written by director
- subtitled scene
Night Raiders Cast & Characters
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers leads the cast as Niska, with Violet Nelson as Somonis and Brooklyn Letexier-Hart as Waseese. Directed by Danis Goulet; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Danis Goulet
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Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Niska -
Violet Nelson as Somonis -
Brooklyn Letexier-Hart as Waseese -
Amanda Plummer as Roberta
Also Starring in Night Raiders
· 6 more- Shaun Sipos Randy
- Gail Maurice Ida
- Alex Tarrant Leo
- Suzanne Cyr Headmaster
- Pamela Matthews Lorna
- Scott Barker Academy Soldier
More from Danis Goulet
One more film directed by Danis Goulet: Wakening.
Night Raiders Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Night Raiders 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).
Night Raiders Echo Score Breakdown
Night Raiders delivers a compelling cultural commentary wrapped in a gritty, lo‑fi sci‑fi aesthetic, yet its narrative momentum falters. Critics applaud its detailed world‑building and thematic relevance, while noting predictable storytelling and uneven character arcs. Audience reactions echo this split, with praise for visual texture and performances countered by criticism of slow pacing and an unsatisfying climax. The film offers a noteworthy perspective but struggles to sustain consistent engagement across viewings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of direction and production design, the film excels at constructing a detailed, lo‑fi dystopian world that many reviewers find striking. Critics highlight the sleek, gritty aesthetic and meticulous set pieces, though some note visual monotony. Viewers echo the appreciation for the gritty look, but a few describe it as uninteresting. Overall, the craftsmanship is judged solid to strong, earning a high moderate score.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to acting and character depth, Night Raiders presents a mixed picture. Some critics and users commend the nuanced performances of Indigenous actors and describe the cast as impressive. Conversely, the central heroine is criticized for lacking complexity, and the overall character development is called predictable. This balance of praise for performances and criticism for depth results in a modestly positive assessment.
- Story & Flow 55
The narrative structure receives varied feedback. Reviewers point to an engaging premise and socially relevant themes, yet many cite slow pacing and a predictable plot progression. Critics mention storytelling as a weaker element compared to world‑building, and users flag plot holes and underwhelming climax. The combination of original ideas with uneven execution leads to a middling story score.
- Sensory Experience 70
Sensory experience is generally regarded as a strength. Critics praise the film's atmospheric dread, sound design, and cohesive visual style that reinforce the oppressive setting. While a few note moments of visual blandness, most reviewers highlight the effective use of sound and striking color palette. Audience comments similarly acknowledge an immersive mood, resulting in a solidly positive sensory rating.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Rewatch value appears divided. Some critics and viewers find the film thought‑provoking and worthy of repeat viewings due to its cultural resonance and atmospheric depth. Others criticize the sluggish tempo and unsatisfying ending, labeling it a waste of time. This split perception yields a modest rewatch factor, reflecting limited but present appeal for subsequent screenings.
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IMDb 5.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 83% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 49%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 63 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 47% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
9 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 5.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Night Raiders Plot Summary
What happens in Night Raiders from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a dystopian North America in 2044, war and environmental decay have driven urban life to a near-abandonment and given rise to a totalitarian military regime, the Regime, that polices every move with drones and drums of fear. Niska Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and her eleven-year-old daughter Waseese Violet Nelson live off the grid in the woods, eking out a precarious existence while staying hidden from a world that would rather forget them. When Waseese steps on a trap while hunting, her leg is badly injured, and a drone quickly discovers their improvised bus-home, forcing them to flee into the night.
Full summary
The whole story of Night Raiders, scene by scene
Night Raiders Box Office
Night Raiders grossed $16,246 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$16.2K
- International
- $16.2K
Night Raiders Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Clip NIGHT RAIDERS (2021) - Thriller - HD Film Clip - English Subtitles
- Featurette Interview with Danis Goulet and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
How Well Do You Know Night Raiders?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is the dystopian North America set?
Cars in Night Raiders
8 cars on screen, including the 2005 IC RE and the unknown.
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2005 IC RE Minor role -
unknown Minor role -
1993 Western Star LSVW Minor role -
AM General HMMWV M1025 Background role
Night Raiders Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐃ ᓇᑐᐸᓃᒐᑫᐘᐠ” and “Les voleurs de la nuit”.
- Also known as
-
- ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐃ ᓇᑐᐸᓃᒐᑫᐘᐠ
- Les voleurs de la nuit
- 나이트 레이더스
- 夜袭者
- Ночные налётчики
- Nocni łowcy
- אבירי הלילה
- Нічні нальотчики
- 末世奇兵
Seen Night Raiders?
Movies Like Night Raiders
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Nightforce, Raiders of the Sun and Night Breakers.
Night Raiders FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Night Raiders, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Night Raiders?
Night Raiders runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was Night Raiders released?
Night Raiders was released on November 12, 2021.
Who directed Night Raiders?
Night Raiders was directed by Danis Goulet.
More films by Danis Goulet Who is in the cast of Night Raiders?
Night Raiders stars Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers as Niska, Violet Nelson as Somonis and Brooklyn Letexier-Hart as Waseese, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Night Raiders make at the box office?
Night Raiders grossed $16,246 worldwide.
How is Night Raiders rated?
Night Raiders has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 47% on TMDB.
Does Night Raiders have a post-credit scene?
No. Night Raiders has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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